There are very few entertainers who have ever existed that carry that “lightning in a bottle” talent that you get only a few times in a generation. A singular entertainer who is still spoken about with a grand reverence is the one and only Frank Sinatra. You know a figure has broken through the public consciousness when a nickname like “Ol’ Blue Eyes” can be used synonymously when referring to him in casual conversation and no one will be lost. Sinatra was a multi-hyphenate primarily known for his music, but his time on the silver screen brought audiences many wonderful pictures that showcased his personable side. After a six year absence from MGM, Sinatra returned in 1955 to take a starring role in The Tender Trap, a picture based on the play of the same name by Max Shulman and Robert Paul Smith. In addition the picture showcasing Sinatra’s iconic voice with an Oscar-nominated title song, The Tender Trap allowed him to indulge in his comedic chops with some of the hottest stars in Hollywood.
In this lighthearted romance, the name of the game is perspective – everyone has an outlook on romance in which the grass is always a little greener on the other side. Sinatra plays Charlie Reader, a thirty-something theatrical agent in New York who we shall say does well with the ladies. His life appears to be idyllic to his best friend Joe McCall (David Wayne, Adam’s Rib), who is positively awe-struck when he sees women coming and going from the apartment carrying out various tasks for Charlie. Joe is in town from Indianapolis for a spell as he contends with the fact that he feels his 11-year marriage has lost its spark. The bachelor lifestyle looks mighty tempting to a man who has not been maintaining his own relationship as he should. The thing is, Charlie would kill to have what Joe has, as the call of married life sounds quite swell. The next few weeks have many changes in store for these two, but you can probably guess from the title song that love is in the cards.
If you are going to have a counterpart to Sinatra, you need a woman with a real screen presence such as Debbie Reynolds (Singin’ In The Rain, Athena). Her character Julie is a performer with a really specific plan for her life which involves finding a husband in the very near future. Julie is a very type-A character who does not represent the best feminist notions, but Reynolds brings a real charm to the performance to make her more than just a puppet waiting to be scooped up and married. The irritation-to-love trajectory of their romance works well because of these two performers specifically, not because the script gives them real depth. The journey of Joe is slightly more nuanced as he pursues a romance with Sylvia Crewes (Celeste Holm, Gentleman’s Agreement), a former lover of Charlie’s who he has never treated as well as he should. While not necessarily the most heartwarming aspect of the story, the most encouraging take of this feature is the dismantling of the idea of what men want from a partner. Holm gives the performance of the film when she subtly but effectively shatters all of the false beliefs that Joe holds.
As a film, The Tender Trap is enjoyable but more than a bit bloated at nearly two hours. All of the performers are putting in really strong work, but at some point interest begins to wane and you just want them all to wrap it up already. Frank, and subsequently Debbie, deliver an enjoyable rendition of the title song, but what few numbers performed elsewhere in the film do not make a huge impression. It would be fair to say that none of the performers are turning in their career-best work in this picture, but the film is agreeable if not a bit dated in some of its beliefs. Those who have a love for the performers should still have fun with this even with its flaws.
Video Quality
Warner Archive presents The Tender Trap with a beautiful new 1080p master transfer in 2.55:1 sourced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative. Warner Archive always knocks it out of the park when they delve into their vaults, and this one is no exception. The film features some splendid colors within the costumes and 50s production design that pop off the screen with a great vibrancy. The film is practically pristine with no noticeable instances of damage or dirt detected here. The level of minute detail and clarity is stunning with a lovely amount of natural film grain intact. As per the usual, the only instances that look less that stellar are the optical dissolves which is not a fault of the transfer. The black levels are incredibly deep with a pleasing stability throughout. Compression artifacts, banding and other such issues do not pop up as an issue in this transfer. This presentation is another instance of Warner Archive showing off their impressive skills.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that is a fun alternative to the typical mono tracks of the 50s. Dialogue and background noises are represented perfectly along with the breezy score from Jeff Alexander. There is no discernible age related wear and tear to the track such as hissing or popping. No sounds ever overpower the dialogue that is being spoken here. While mostly dialogue driven throughout, the musical moments with Ol’ Blue Eyes are handled with ease and give the track an enveloping warmth. Hearing the instruments in the rear channels makes for a stirring experience. There are also optional English (SDH) subtitles included for the feature film. Warner Archive has provided a disc that sounds excellent in all respects.
Special Features
- Frank In The Fifties: A sixteen-minute vintage featurette in which various critics and notable figures such as Debbie Reynolds discuss the career and appeal of Sinatra in the fifties. There are many interesting projects featured here that will make you want to delve even further into the career of Ol’ Blue Eyes.
- The MGM Parade – Excerpt From Episode 7: A four-minute piece in which Debbie Reynolds drops by the show to conjure up excitement for The Tender Trap with a brief discussion and clip from the film.
- The MGM Parade – Excerpt From Episode 8: A three-minute piece in which the host of the show talks a bit about Frank Sinatra and The Tender Trap while throwing to a clip of the title song being performed.
- Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half minute trailer is provided for the film which features some voiceover that plays up the notable elements of the film while clips play beneath. This is pretty good about not giving away the entire film.
Final Thoughts
The Tender Trap is an amiable film that survives primarily based on the strength of its performers. The four core members of the ensemble have pretty wonderful chemistry with one another, but the script struggles to give them much worthy of their talent. If the film had lost about twenty minutes, it would likely pick up the energy a bit and allow it to be better remembered than it is. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray with a 5-star A/V presentation and some pretty cool special features. If you are a fan of any of the cast members, this disc will provide you with a lovely viewing experience.
The Tender Trap can be purchased directly through the Warner Archive Amazon Store or various other online retailers. The release will be available on May 25, 2021.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
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